Jumping Amsterdam corrects recent reporting by Dier & Recht in which it is suggested that authorities have ended their involvement in the event due to concerns about equestrian sport. This conclusion is incorrect and requires rectification.

Inaccurate reporting
In recent months, Dier & Recht has suggested through various channels that the Province of North Holland has ended its sponsorship of Jumping Amsterdam due to concerns about the event. This suggestion is incorrect and does not reflect the actual situation. “The Province of North Holland is still involved as a partner in Jumping Amsterdam. The change lies in the form of collaboration and funding, which stems from broader policy and a different allocation of budgets, not from substantive objections to our event,” says Irene Verheul, Director of Jumping Amsterdam.

An incomplete picture is also being presented regarding the Municipality of Amsterdam. Dier & Recht is calling on the municipality to end its subsidy to Jumping Amsterdam, while this decision was already made years ago and is part of a longer-term policy framework. The subsidy will expire this year as planned.
“It is important to emphasize that these decisions stem from policy considerations and not from the motives that are currently being suggested. By making that connection, a distorted picture is created.”

Criticism within the sector calls for openness
Jumping Amsterdam believes it is important that reporting about the sector is careful and complete. At a time when the equestrian sport is under increased scrutiny, it is essential that facts are presented accurately and that the principle of hearing both sides is applied. “A critical view of our sector is part of the landscape and something we take seriously. At the same time, we see that nuance and context are often missing and that involved parties are not always included in the reporting. That does not help move the conversation forward.”

As a leading international event, Jumping Amsterdam feels a strong responsibility toward sport, horse welfare, and society. In collaboration with Iconic Studios, the organization has in recent years deliberately invested in a broader PR and communication strategy, focused on transparency and sharing a balanced view of the sector. Politicians and media have been invited to go behind the scenes and engage in dialogue about the organization, the sport, and the decisions being made. This approach has also led to increasing attention from media outside the equestrian sector, with in-depth publications highlighting both challenges and positive developments.
“We stand for a future-proof equestrian sport, where there is room for critical reflection as well as recognition of the steps being taken. That is precisely why we show what we do and how we do it. Only with that balance can we move forward as a sector.”

What Jumping Amsterdam experiences year after year is that its audience is much broader than just the traditional horse enthusiast. During the event, sports fans, residents of Amsterdam, and visitors from far beyond come together, many of whom are not part of the sector itself. At the same time, they share one thing: an appreciation for the sport and the overall event experience.

Jumping Amsterdam sees it as its responsibility to further strengthen this connection and to build a committed and loyal following, both within and beyond the equestrian sector.